Episode Summary

Li Qingyue separates the powerful twin swords for protection, sending one away with Master Meng Chu's group as they return to the Yin Lotus Sect. She and Bai Jiusi then confront Xiao Jingshan within the Stele of Joy, an illusionary realm where he has trapped the souls of innocent villagers. Meanwhile, Meng Chu's party discovers their sect has been overtaken by Xiao Jingshan, who forces them into a deadly choice that results in Master Meng Chu's tragic suicide. Simultaneously, the demonic seal in the Ninth Heaven breaks, forcing a gravely wounded Long Yuan and a newly transformed Red Lotus to defend the celestial realm from hordes of beasts.

Spoiler Alert

Feud, Episode 29 Recap: A Deadly Choice in a Realm of Illusions

The Full Recap

A Desperate Plan to Divide and Survive

The episode opens with Li Qingyue making a critical strategic decision. She tasks Master Meng Chu with escorting Meng Chu and Qu Xingman back to the supposed safety of the Yin Lotus Sect. Their departure is complicated when Lv Suguan appears and insists on joining them. Realizing the danger of keeping the two legendary swords together, Li Qingyue entrusts Bai Jiusi's personal sword to Master Meng Chu for safekeeping. Her logic is sound: only the two swords combined have the power to destroy the Immeasurable Stele, and with Bai Jiusi mentally incapacitated, she cannot risk their adversary, Xiao Jingshan, seizing both blades at once.

The Village of Lost Souls

Li Qingyue's investigation into a local village reveals a horrifying scene: the villagers are mere shells, their souls stolen. Fan Ling'er quickly deduces that this is Xiao Jingshan's handiwork, a trap he has been setting for some time. Using his spiritual power, Zhang Suan manages to force a confrontation with Xiao Jingshan, who brazenly admits to imprisoning the villagers' souls within a powerful artifact at the foot of the mountain—the Stele of Joy. Despite Li Qingyue's pleas, Xiao Jingshan, consumed by his quest for vengeance, refuses to back down.

Trapped in the Stele of Joy

Li Qingyue and Bai Jiusi enter the Stele of Joy and find themselves in an "Illusionary Realm"—a false utopia where the captive souls live in blissful ignorance. As the villagers kneel and chant for their "Divine Lord," a grand sedan chair descends, revealing Xiao Jingshan. Bai Jiusi, though his mind is not his own, instinctively moves to shield Li Qingyue.

Xiao Jingshan presents his manufactured paradise, inviting Li Qingyue to join him and build a new world order. She flatly refuses. In response, the brainwashed villagers turn on the pair, denouncing them as evil spirits and launching a vicious attack.

Bloodshed at the Yin Lotus Sect

Meanwhile, Meng Chu, Qu Xingman, and their companions navigate a treacherous mist formation and fend off an attack from venomous snakes—creatures once tamed by Qu Xingman, now turned against them. They fight their way to the heart of the Yin Lotus Sect, only to find Xiao Jingshan sitting on the sect leader's throne. He summons a mind-controlled A Ke and Master Meng Chu, but Qu Xingman quickly realizes the Xiao Jingshan before them is merely an illusionary clone.

The illusion then presents Meng Chu and Qu Xingman with an impossible choice: save their Master or save A Ke. As they hesitate, paralyzed by the decision, Lv Suguan impulsively chooses to save Master Meng Chu.

A Master's Ultimate Sacrifice

Back in the Stele of Joy, the villagers' accusations trigger Li Qingyue's own traumatic memories of being besieged, and she is nearly consumed by hatred before Bai Jiusi manages to pull her back from the brink.

At the same moment in the Yin Lotus Sect, Master Meng Chu makes a devastating choice of his own. Refusing to be used as a pawn to threaten his disciples, he takes his own life in a final, defiant act. His sacrifice sends shockwaves through all present, a testament to his unwavering will.

The Ninth Heaven Under Siege

The chaos escalates as the ancient seal imprisoning the demonic beasts in the Ninth Heaven finally shatters. The celestial realm is thrown into turmoil as Long Yuan leads a desperate defense. After his arm is grievously wounded by a poison demon, he makes the battlefield decision to sever the limb to continue fighting. He orders Li Mo to find Bai Jiusi and bring back help. Just as Li Mo is cornered by beasts, The Red Lotus appears, transforming into her human form to fight alongside him, turning the tide of their small skirmish.

What Lies Ahead

  • The death of Master Meng Chu is a turning point that will undoubtedly fuel the final confrontation. The fate of the two swords is now more critical than ever.
  • With Long Yuan severely injured, can he and The Red Lotus possibly hold back the demonic horde and save the Ninth Heaven?
  • A glimmer of hope emerges as Bai Jiusi's protective instincts hint that his true self may be on the verge of reawakening.